WAS JESUS TEMPTED?

[Jason0047]

If a person lusts after another person, they have committed adultery already in their heart. Wrong desire is lust. Lust or wrong desire must be present in a particular internal temptation or there is no internal temptation present for that particular temptation. In other words, Jesus did not have wrong desire, lust, or internal temptation.

 

[Jason0047]

For how do you define internal temptation for evil things as not being evil?

Is there a Scripture that says something about that?

 

[Jason0047]

Note: External Temptation are outside forces that tempt a person. External Temptations does not always mean the person temped is interested in the External Temptation or that they have an Internal Temptation for that tempting thing presented to them.

 

[Yearn2learn]

Remember that Lucifer was Gods covering cherub before he sinned. Lucifer understood God and the way things work better than we can imagine. He MUST have felt he had a good chance of making Jesus fail, or he would have stayed away. If he hadn't tried to tempt Jesus it would have worked in his favour, because we would now say that Jesus doesn't really understand us when we are tempted. But we know that He fully understands our weakness.
Praise be to God.

 

[Yearn2learn]

To be tempted is not to sin. It's only when you start planning and focussing on that temptation that you begin to sin.

 

[Jason0047]

Remember that Lucifer was Gods covering cherub before he sinned. Lucifer understood God and the way things work better than we can imagine. He MUST have felt he had a good chance of making Jesus fail, or he would have stayed away. If he hadn't tried to tempt Jesus it would have worked in his favour, because we would now say that Jesus doesn't really understand us when we are tempted. But we know that He fully understands our weakness.
Praise be to God.

While we are not to underestimate our enemy, I believe you give him too much credit in this case. For if what you say is true, then why did he bother to try and crucify the Lord?

 

[Jason0047]

To be tempted is not to sin. It's only when you start planning and focussing on that temptation that you begin to sin.

James says to lust brings forth sin and sin then brings forth death. They are all tied together. Also, if a person lusts after another person, they have committed adultery already in their heart with that person. Does not internal temptation involve lust or wrong desire? Do you know the Scriptures say that lust is not of the Father? Is not Jesus one with the Father?

 

[Timeline]

Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Philippians 2:
5 - Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
6 - Who, though he was God, did not think equality with God as something to cling to,
7 - But instead gave up his divine privileges, he took the humble position of a slave, being born in the likeness of men.
8 - And being found in human form, he humbled himself to God by obedience to the point of death, even a criminal’s death on the cross.
9 - Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus was tempted in every area that mankind is tempted. Temptation is that thing which seeks to get our attention, those things which reach out to our emotions, thoughts, feelings. Temptation begins in the mind.

Jesus had emotions, Jesus had needs, Jesus had temptation. A thought can flutter through our mind, an emotion can surge through our veins, a desire can grab at our heart, a fear can make the blood run cold, an image can snatch the attention of our eyes. And we will be tempted to validate those feelings and thoughts by acting out. It is at that point we must decide to obey God or obey our own selfish motives.

Jesus emptied himself out, gave up all his rights, abandoned his desires for God’s will in his life. Any thought that was not God’s will, any emotion that ran counter to God’s will, any image that did not glorify God’s will, any right to himself he surrendered it all to God the Father and obeyed him. Jesus died to himself even before he was crucified on the cross. He already made up his mind to do God’s will no matter what he felt, no matter what thought ran contrary to it.

When we are tempted, we have not sinned. If a lustful thought comes to mind, we can say no to it because it isn’t God’s will. We have not sinned. If we get angry and are tempted to speak carelessly, we can say no to it and keep our mouth shut. We have not sinned. But if you entertain yourself with lustful thoughts or dwell on anger to the point of hating or wanting to do harm, you have sinned in your heart. Nevertheless, Jesus is our advocate and we can repent ASAP before the devil ensnares us into a dangerous situation.

Jesus, on the other hand, never had to repent because he never allowed temptation to cause him to sin. And the more we walk and talk with the Lord Jesus, we become like him and can grow as obedient children emptied more and more of ourselves and abandoned to the Father’s will.

This is an interesting question:

Philippians 2:5-6
[SUP]5 [/SUP]Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, [SUP]6 [/SUP]who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,

James 1:12-15
[SUP]12 [/SUP]Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. [SUP]13 [/SUP]Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. [SUP]14 [/SUP]But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. [SUP]15 [/SUP]Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.
Proverbs 17:3
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests hearts.

God tests, but He, Himself, does not tempt. But we see, according to our translations, that God cannot be tempted, but the scriptures say that Jesus was tempted - though He did not sin. But many (recently including me) also conclude that Jesus was God. So, if Jesus was God in the flesh, how could Jesus be tempted?

I come to the conclusion that either our translation or our understanding fails us (or both). Perhaps this is just one of the many things that we cannot grasp while we are in this form. All we need to know is that Jesus did not sin and became the perfect sacrifice for the world.

 

[Yearn2learn]

Once Satan realised he wasn't going to win, he would have determined to make Our Saviour suffer as much as he could. He succeeded so well that God turned darkness onto our world to show His displeasure.

 

[Dan58]

A good question

Yes, Satan tempted him, but no, Jesus was not tempted. Luke 4:2 says he went into the wilderness; "Being forty days tempted of the devil". So we know the devil tempted Jesus, but we don't know if Jesus was tempted. Sounds like double talk, but I think if someone tempts you, you've officially been tempted, but it doesn't necessarily mean that you were tempted. When Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if he would worship him (Luke 4:5-8), Jesus didn't say 'Can you let my sleep on that offer and get back to you?' I doubt Jesus had to consider his answer or ponder over whether or not to accept it. So I suspect there was a tempter, but not a temptee. Luke 4:13 says; "When the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed". So imo, the temptation was 100% devil and 0% Christ. When I'm tempted, I consider doing wrong and I struggle to resist, but it didn't sound like Jesus was tempted because his answers were precise, immediate, and deliberate; "And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.... And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.... And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

 

[Timeline]

A good question

Yes, Satan tempted him, but no, Jesus was not tempted. Luke 4:2 says he went into the wilderness; "Being forty days tempted of the devil". So we know the devil tempted Jesus, but we don't know if Jesus was tempted. Sounds like double talk, but I think if someone tempts you, you've officially been tempted, but it doesn't necessarily mean that you were tempted. When Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if he would worship him (Luke 4:5-8), Jesus didn't say 'Can you let my sleep on that offer and get back to you?' I doubt Jesus had to consider his answer or ponder over whether or not to accept it. So I suspect there was a tempter, but not a temptee. Luke 4:13 says; "When the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed". So imo, the temptation was 100% devil and 0% Christ. When I'm tempted, I consider doing wrong and I struggle to resist, but it didn't sound like Jesus was tempted because his answers were precise, immediate, and deliberate; "And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.... And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.... And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

I tend to agree with you Dan, but again, I say this is either a translation and/or an understanding issue.

 

[Timeline]

I doesn't seem, imo, that Jesus would be tempted by Satan's offers. But Hebrews 4:15 says that He "was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

But, as I quoted earlier, James 1 tells us that God cannot be tempted.

These are just two of the verses that seem to suggest that Jesus was not God, but was the Son of God. I held that opinion most of my life, but now I do think that Jesus was God in the flesh.

But mostly I proclaim my ignorance regarding the Spiritual Realm, if you will. I realize that it is difficult, if not impossible, to grasp the realities of the Spiritual while we are in the flesh. God allows us to know what He wants us to know, if we seek the truth, but all too often we claim to know things that we don't know.

 

[Ariel82]

Satan places thoughts that go against God's plan by whispering lies to us. This is temptation. However we can reject the thoughts as not from God and not sin by resisting the devil and watching him flee from us. It us when we allow the thought to embed in our hearts in agreement that we desire things not of God that we sin.

Sometimes we do this out of ignorance or pride.

I believe it is important to know all thoughts in your head may not be from God. Some may be your flesh rebelling or satan tempting. God tells us to eat meat and discern good from evil.

Too many people punish themselves for thoughts satan planted and they rejected instead of just praying and having God deliver them from that trap.

 

[Jason0047]

A good question

Yes, Satan tempted him, but no, Jesus was not tempted. Luke 4:2 says he went into the wilderness; "Being forty days tempted of the devil". So we know the devil tempted Jesus, but we don't know if Jesus was tempted. Sounds like double talk, but I think if someone tempts you, you've officially been tempted, but it doesn't necessarily mean that you were tempted. When Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if he would worship him (Luke 4:5-8), Jesus didn't say 'Can you let my sleep on that offer and get back to you?' I doubt Jesus had to consider his answer or ponder over whether or not to accept it. So I suspect there was a tempter, but not a temptee. Luke 4:13 says; "When the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed". So imo, the temptation was 100% devil and 0% Christ. When I'm tempted, I consider doing wrong and I struggle to resist, but it didn't sound like Jesus was tempted because his answers were precise, immediate, and deliberate; "And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.... And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.... And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

I like what you said. However, I do believe we can know for sure that Jesus never lusted or had wrong intent or desires ever (Which would have to exist in order for Christ to be tempted internally). I believe 1 John 2:16 is a slam dunk verse in saying that Jesus could not have lust. For this verse says that all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and tthe pride of life is not of the Father, but is of the world. In John 10:30, Jesus says that He and the Father are one; And Colossians 2:9 says the fulness of the Godhead dwelled within Him bodily. Meaning Jesus was never separated from the Godhead. God is Holy and pure always eternally. If the second person known as the Son had dark or bad intent, it would be a corruption in the Godhead or it would go against the entire being of Who God actually is. Lust and sin is contrary to God's nature and Jesus Christ was 100% God, just as He was 100% human (i.e. flesh and blood). However, Christ's human side was not corrupted by the sin of Adam because He was born of the seed of a woman only. When we were an unbeliever, Adam was our Federal Head of death (And both he and Eve's eyes were not opened until he bit of the fruit), which means sin is passed down by the male seed. But when we accepted Jesus Christ and repented of our sins, He then become our Federal Head of new life.

 

[Jason0047]

I doesn't seem, imo, that Jesus would be tempted by Satan's offers. But Hebrews 4:15 says that He "was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

But, as I quoted earlier, James 1 tells us that God cannot be tempted.

These are just two of the verses that seem to suggest that Jesus was not God, but was the Son of God. I held that opinion most of my life, but now I do think that Jesus was God in the flesh.

But mostly I proclaim my ignorance regarding the Spiritual Realm, if you will. I realize that it is difficult, if not impossible, to grasp the realities of the Spiritual while we are in the flesh. God allows us to know what He wants us to know, if we seek the truth, but all too often we claim to know things that we don't know.

Actually, if there is one fact the Bible makes 100% clear about, it is that Jesus is God. In fact, not that anyone who denies Christ's deity will look at it, but here are 160 reasons that says Jesus is God...

160 Reasons Jesus Christ is Almighty God

Many pre-incarnate appearances, hundreds of fulfilled Messianic prophecies, typifications of Christ, and the New Testament itself all bear witness to the fact that Jesus Christ is God Almighty in the flesh. This truth is so obvious, it is like giant neon sign hitting one's house (Unless of course one wants to ignore the truth or be untruthful).

I mean, think about it. Jesus declared He was the " I AM " from Exodus 3 in John chapter 8. For when the Jews heard him declare this, they went ape crazy and wanted to stone him for it. In fact, Jesus said within that same chapter that if one does not believe He is the " I AM ", they will die in their sins. OT verses that say that there is no Savior beside Him and or God beside Him should also make it obvious that Jesus is God Almighty or a part of the Godhead. In fact, the Bible uses the word Godhead. This is why 1 John 5:7 is supposed to be in your Bible (Which was eliminated from Modern Versions). Micah 5:2 says this Messiah is from of old and from EVERLASTING. Meaning, the Eternal Word (Logos) who is God never had a beginning.

For most everyone does not believe Jesus is God today.

 

[Jason0047]

For only God can make the dead come alive; Which is what Jesus Christ does.

[video=youtube;-FHYI3kdK_g]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FHYI3kdK_g[/video]

Warning: The above artistic rendition of Jesus within the animation of the video I posted is only an imagined rendering of Jesus. This is not what Jesus really looks like in any way. Nobody alive today knows what Jesus actually looked like.

 

[Jason0047]

Satan places thoughts that go against God's plan by whispering lies to us. This is temptation. However we can reject the thoughts as not from God and not sin by resisting the devil and watching him flee from us. It us when we allow the thought to embed in our hearts in agreement that we desire things not of God that we sin.

Sometimes we do this out of ignorance or pride.

I believe it is important to know all thoughts in your head may not be from God. Some may be your flesh rebelling or satan tempting. God tells us to eat meat and discern good from evil.

Too many people punish themselves for thoughts satan planted and they rejected instead of just praying and having God deliver them from that trap.

If one has a dream that is bad, then I can see that is from the devil. But I would still rebuke that dream in Jesus' name and ask for forgivenness for any bad thoughts I might have had subconsciously in that dream. In other words, it is better to confess and be humble before God and play it safe with our standing in the Lord. For the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. We can only trust in God and His promises for salvation and hold onto them with everything we got (Clinging to Jesus and the life that is within Him).

 

[Ariel82]

I like reading about Jesus temptation in the Bible because it tells us just because we think something it does not mean we are evil or have sinned. It is when we agree that we WANT to do the things in our heart do we actually lead towards sin.

Sin has three parts:

The thought, the desire and then the action.

Jesus tells us to learn to discern good and evil and reject evil thoughts before they become desires of our heart.

God tells us we can be angry and not sin, because we can forgive people before going to bed.

Unforgiveness is a sin but if we spend some time every night searching our hearts and praying we can prevent it from taking root and turning to bitterness. Too often people don't forgive and lash out in anger, instead of responding to others in love.

I struggle to show love to those who have hurt me, but I know God wants us to love them. However, how do you draw that line and not let them hurt others if they are unrepentant? I don't think its love to allow people to continue in their sin and their harm of others. I guess it is the heart that matters, if you speak out of anger or out of love. Sometimes you can say the same thing but your heart is totally in a different place.

Sorry I'm rambling.

This thread has me thinking about what it means to be tempted.

For example if someone tempts you to eat a pineapple, but you are allergic so you don't really entertain the thought. You were still tempted by someone but you had no desire to engage in that activity they were trying to tempt you with.

I think Satan and his demons have watched us to see our weaknesses and tempts us to walk and speak in manners not pleasing to God.

For example, sometimes we speak without listening with love to each other on this forum. I know I've been tempted to say something mean or "smart" in retort to the unfair statements some people have made, but I also know that God wants us to respond in love and not anger. So most days I don't.

I know many people are tempted not to follow scriptures and judge others because they eat pork or do not observe the Sabbath on Sat. I also see people who despise those who only eat veggies or keep the Sabbath. Both of which are going against God's word. We are neither to judge or despise, yet how many truly resist the temptation to do either one or the other?

 

[Timeline]

This is an interesting question:

Philippians 2:5-6
[SUP]5 [/SUP]Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, [SUP]6 [/SUP]who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,

James 1:12-15
[SUP]12 [/SUP]Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. [SUP]13 [/SUP]Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. [SUP]14 [/SUP]But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. [SUP]15 [/SUP]Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.
Proverbs 17:3
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests hearts.

God tests, but He, Himself, does not tempt. But we see, according to our translations, that God cannot be tempted, but the scriptures say that Jesus was tempted - though He did not sin. But many (recently including me) also conclude that Jesus was God. So, if Jesus was God in the flesh, how could Jesus be tempted?

I come to the conclusion that either our translation or our understanding fails us (or both). Perhaps this is just one of the many things that we cannot grasp while we are in this form. All we need to know is that Jesus did not sin and became the perfect sacrifice for the world.

Actually, if there is one fact the Bible makes 100% clear about, it is that Jesus is God. In fact, not that anyone who denies Christ's deity will look at it, but here are 160 reasons that says Jesus is God...

160 Reasons Jesus Christ is Almighty God

Many pre-incarnate appearances, hundreds of fulfilled Messianic prophecies, typifications of Christ, and the New Testament itself all bear witness to the fact that Jesus Christ is God Almighty in the flesh. This truth is so obvious, it is like giant neon sign hitting one's house (Unless of course one wants to ignore the truth or be untruthful).

I mean, think about it. Jesus declared He was the " I AM " from Exodus 3 in John chapter 8. For when the Jews heard him declare this, they went ape crazy and wanted to stone him for it. In fact, Jesus said within that same chapter that if one does not believe He is the " I AM ", they will die in their sins. OT verses that say that there is no Savior beside Him and or God beside Him should also make it obvious that Jesus is God Almighty or a part of the Godhead. In fact, the Bible uses the word Godhead. This is why 1 John 5:7 is supposed to be in your Bible (Which was eliminated from Modern Versions). Micah 5:2 says this Messiah is from of old and from EVERLASTING. Meaning, the Eternal Word (Logos) who is God never had a beginning.

For most everyone does not believe Jesus is God today.

I was raised being taught (whether purposefully or not) that Jesus was the Son of God - not being God, but His Son. It was John 8 that originally made me re-evaluate my beliefs on this topic.

But the point that I was making is that the Bible says that Jesus was tempted and God cannot be tempted. I am not saying that Jesus was not God in the flesh, but that the Bible seems to contradict itself on this matter. Listen closely...I am not saying that the Bible contradicts itself. I am saying that I will not bully people into believing that which I don't fully understand.

God tells us what we need to know.

 

[Jason0047]

I like reading about Jesus temptation in the Bible because it tells us just because we think something it does not mean we are evil or have sinned. It is when we agree that we WANT to do the things in our heart do we actually lead towards sin.

Sin has three parts:

The thought, the desire and then the action.

Jesus tells us to learn to discern good and evil and reject evil thoughts before they become desires of our heart.

God tells us we can be angry and not sin, because we can forgive people before going to bed.

Unforgiveness is a sin but if we spend some time every night searching our hearts and praying we can prevent it from taking root and turning to bitterness. Too often people don't forgive and lash out in anger, instead of responding to others in love.

I struggle to show love to those who have hurt me, but I know God wants us to love them. However, how do you draw that line and not let them hurt others if they are unrepentant? I don't think its love to allow people to continue in their sin and their harm of others. I guess it is the heart that matters, if you speak out of anger or out of love. Sometimes you can say the same thing but your heart is totally in a different place.

Sorry I'm rambling.

This thread has me thinking about what it means to be tempted.

For example if someone tempts you to eat a pineapple, but you are allergic so you don't really entertain the thought. You were still tempted by someone but you had no desire to engage in that activity they were trying to tempt you with.

I think Satan and his demons have watched us to see our weaknesses and tempts us to walk and speak in manners not pleasing to God.

For example, sometimes we speak without listening with love to each other on this forum. I know I've been tempted to say something mean or "smart" in retort to the unfair statements some people have made, but I also know that God wants us to respond in love and not anger. So most days I don't.

I know many people are tempted not to follow scriptures and judge others because they eat pork or do not observe the Sabbath on Sat. I also see people who despise those who only eat veggies or keep the Sabbath. Both of which are going against God's word. We are neither to judge or despise, yet how many truly resist the temptation to do either one or the other?

The Bible lists the problem of sin like this:

#1. Lust (For why would you think of it if you didn't desire it?).

#2. Sin (Acting on your desire).

#3. Death (Which is the result of sin).

The Bible says we are to think on that which is good. For we have to realize that one of the reasons given to us why the Earth was destroyed with a global flood is that their thoughts were evil continually. For how can we really know if a bad thought is our own or from the devil? I believe the safer play is to confess any bad thoughts or desires so as to keep one's heart right with God.

Internal Temptation only exists if one has a wrong desire or lust for that thing they are tempted with.